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EDUCATION Federal government picks up tab on student lunches Breakfast also is included under legislation Comment By Teresa Thomas Mail Tribune MailTribune.com By Teresa Thomas Mail Tribune Posted Sep. 14, 2015 at 12:01 AM By Teresa Thomas Mail Tribune Posted Sep. 14, 2015 at 12:01 AM Where the free lunches are served --> The following school districts provide free lunch and breakfast for all students at these locations: Medford — Griffin Creek Elementary, Howard Elementary, Jackson Elementa... » Read more X Where the free lunches are served The following school districts provide free lunch and breakfast for all students at these locations: Medford — Griffin Creek Elementary, Howard Elementary, Jackson Elementary, Jefferson Elementary, Kennedy Elementary, Oak Grove Elementary, Roosevelt Elementary, Ruch Elementary, Washington Elementary, Wilson Elementary, Kids Unlimited Academy, McLoughlin Middle School and Central Medford High School Central Point  — Central Point Elementary, Jewett Elementary, Patrick Elementary, Sams Valley Elementary, Mae Richardson Elementary and Hanby Middle School Eagle Point  — Upper and Lower Table Rock Elementary, Shady Cove Elementary and White Mountain Middle School Phoenix-Talent  — Orchard Hill Elementary, Phoenix Elementary and Talent Elementary Butte Falls  — Butte Falls Elementary and Butte Falls High School Prospect  — Prospect Charter School » Social News All kids eat free this year at nearly 30 Jackson County public schools. No need to pack a lunch or deposit money into a school meal account. The Community Eligibility Provision of the Healthy, Hunger-Free Kids Act of 2010 will allow schools with high percentages of low-income students to provide free breakfast and lunch for all students and will eliminate the burden of determining eligibility for school meal programs. The program was piloted for three years in public schools east of Mississippi before being launched nationwide in July 2014. This year, 71 school districts statewide — compared with 52 last year — are taking advantage of the program, said Heidi Dupuis, Oregon’s school nutrition manager. “Kids just show up for breakfast and lunch, and we feed them,” Dupuis said. CEP removes the stigma for students who receive free or reduced-price meals, and kids who used to pay full price for lunch no longer have to worry about whether they have enough money in their accounts to cover meals, Dupuis said. Six schools in Central Point, three schools in Eagle Point, 13 schools in Medford, three schools in Phoenix-Talent, two schools in Butte Falls and one school in Prospect are eligible to provide federally-funded meals under CEP. Eligibility is determined by the percentage of students receiving government assistance or receiving educational services as a homeless, runaway or migrant youth or foster child. Based on the eligibility formula, schools with a higher level of poverty can share "points" with schools with less poverty so both can participate in CEP, Dupuis said. Students attending eligible schools will no longer have to pack a lunch, and their parents will no longer have to fill out an application for free and reduced-price meals. Schools that are not eligible for CEP will still be able to provide free meals to students who had previously qualified for reduced-price meals. “The purpose of the program is to eliminate applications and simplify the process for providing meals," said Jeff Ashman, manager of Sodexo, the food-service provider for the Medford, Eagle Point and Phoenix-Talent school districts. “But one of the greatest benefits is the inclusive nature of the meal service. Everyone is having a common experience. They aren’t stopped to pay and don’t have to worry about whether they have money or not. It gives every child the same meal experience regardless of their income or means.” Another benefit is that students will have access to healthier lunches, said Anne Leavens, nutrition services supervisor for the Central Point School District. “I’ve seen kids’ cold lunches,” she said. “It’s chips, Capri Suns, sandwiches and treats, and they go for the treats first and toss half their lunch. But this way, they are getting quite a bit of variety and a well-balanced meal with 100 percent whole grains.” On Thursday at Mae Richardson Elementary, one school staff member noticed a student unpacking a Go-Gurt, Hostess Ding-Dong and banana and invited the student to eat the school's lunch — chicken nuggets, deli sandwiches, Mandarin orange chicken with brown rice, steamed broccoli, salad and fruit — instead. Leavens said about 80 percent of students took advantage of the free meals offered last year at Central Point, Sams Valley, Jewett and Patrick elementary schools, but some still packed their own lunches. “Maybe they were picky, maybe they didn’t want to wait in line or maybe they didn’t want to take fruit and veggies,” she said. This year, Mae Richardson Elementary and Hanby Middle School also are providing free meals. The school district sent home fliers with students last week reminding parents about the free meals and, this week, will put a sandwich board outside of Mae Richardson reminding them that “breakfast and lunch are on us.” Reach education reporter Teresa Thomas at 541-776-4497 or [email protected] . Follow her at www.twitter.com/teresathomas_mt . By Teresa Thomas Mail Tribune MailTribune.com By Teresa Thomas Mail Tribune Posted Sep. 14, 2015 at 12:01 AM » Comment or view comments Reader Reaction » STAY INFORMED Email NewsLetter Sign Up Today Sign up for our newsletter and have the top headlines from your community delivered right to your inbox. Southern Oregon Directory Featured Businesses Loading... 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